Sydney- Paramount Pictures Worldwide Distribution has opened a Sydney office headed by Irene Read as Vice President, Television Distribution, Asia Pacific, Africa & Middle East. Formerly with Alliance Atlantis, Read oversees all licensing activities for the region. Caroline Legge, who worked for Paramount in London and most recently with Australian pay TV firm Movie Network, serves as Sales Manager. Alex Trippas, who also spent time with NBC Universal in London, then with BBC Worldwide in … [Read more...] about Paramount establishes TV office in Sydney
Pay-TV
Al Jazeera English available on Astro Indonesia
Indonesian DTH service provider Astro Indonesia has started carrying Al Jazeera English, the 24-hour English language news and current affairs channel from Doha-based Al Jazeera Network. The agreement forms part of the basic content package which makes the channel available alongside other international news channels. The carriage deal with Astro Indonesia extends from existing ties between Al Jazeera Network and Malaysia-based pay TV provider Astro which has been carrying Al Jazeera English in … [Read more...] about Al Jazeera English available on Astro Indonesia
Oz top model to take the Runway to LA
Sydney- In the footsteps of Australia's Next Top Model, pay TV channel Fox8 has commissioned Granada to produce Runway to LA, a five-part observational reality series. Runway To LA will follow the journey of Jordan Loukas who, following her success on this year’s series of Australia’s Next Top Model, is being challenged to see if she has what it takes to succeed in the international fashion world. Charlotte Dawson, a feisty Australia’s Next Top Model judge, fashion journalist … [Read more...] about Oz top model to take the Runway to LA
Foxtel grabs exclusive rights to awards shows
Sydney- Australia's dominant pay TV platform Foxtel announced today it has secured exclusive television rights to the Golden Globes, the Grammy awards, the Tony awards and the American Music Awards, plus excusive live coverage of the Emmy awards. Foxtel also announced a new, 3-year deal to serve as the official broadcaster of the Helpmann Awards, which recognise excellence in live performance in Australia. The 59th Annual Primetime Emmy awards will screen live on the BIO channel on Sept. 17 from … [Read more...] about Foxtel grabs exclusive rights to awards shows
NBC Universal acquires Sparrowhawk Holdings
London- NBC Universal (NBCU) will acquire Sparrowhawk Holdings and its global portfolio of pay TV channels including the international (non-US) Hallmark Channels, from Providence Equity Partners, 3i and management shareholders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed The deal looks set to bring NBCU Global Networks’ offerings to more than 30 channels in total, with ongoing plans to expand to more than 50 channels over the next 2-3 years. Sparrowhawk Holding’s 18 feeds of the … [Read more...] about NBC Universal acquires Sparrowhawk Holdings
A long road to recovery for Star Group
Hong Kong-- It could take the Star Group a further four fiscal years to return to its previous peaks in profitability after a painful 2006/2007, according to Media Partners Asia. The pay TV company's operating income in the year to June 30 plunged by almost 30% to $US91 million. "Going forward, we don’t believe that STAR’s story will substantially unravel further but it will likely lose its leadership in the Indian TV entertainment space this year," MPA reports. MPA predicts Star's … [Read more...] about A long road to recovery for Star Group